SoulCycle founder and WeWork partner Julie Rice spoke Tuesday at a Women’s Leadership Breakfast hosted by Berns Communications Group at specialty retailer Story in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. The brief Q&A session had Story founder Rachel Shechtman, who became Macy Inc.’s brand experience officer after the retailer in May acquired Story, query Rice about founding SoulCycle and about some new leases that WeWork signed. Rice kept mum about plans for the leases, but did speak about WeMarket, the test concept at four locations focused on helping brands who are WeMarket members figure out how to build communities around their products.
Rice said brand owners need to understand that “you can’t put stuff on shelves and expect to create a bond” with customers. She also spoke about creating “Shark Tank” nights to mentor brands on how to grow. An example was a food company where product was made in the owner’s kitchen and how that wouldn’t work if the person really wanted the ability to scale production.
What did get the attendees attention was Rice’s disclosure that she is a “major claustrophobic,” noting that “I will not take elevators.” That led to another disclosure — and admiration from many attendees — of how she

ESPN reported Sunday that the Browns’ front office was interested in possibly bringing Condi for an interview to replace recently-fired head coach Hue Jackson. She’s a huge Browns fan, and met with some of the owners during a game earlier this year.

Aside from that though … it’s unclear what, if any, professional experience she’d bring to the table … when it comes to football, that is. She’s got a pretty decent resume, otherwise.

The Browns’ general manager, John Dorsey, issued a statement shortly after the news spread like wildfire, saying in part … “Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a great leader, possesses the highest possible character and also happens to be a Browns fan.”

He fully shot down the speculation, though, by adding … “Our coaching search will be thorough and deliberate, but we are still in the process of composing the list of candidates and Secretary Rice has not been discussed.”

As for Ms. Rice … she offered her own statement on the rumor, saying “I love my Browns — and I know they will hire an experienced coach to take us to the next level.”

After going on to advocate for the hiring of more women in coaching positions, she seemed to shut down the notion of a head coaching gig by saying … “BTW — I’m not ready to coach but I would like to call a play or two next season if the Browns need ideas! And at no time will I call for a “prevent defense.”